James S. (James Smith) Findley

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1926, James S. Findley became known as one of the major figures in American mammalogy. An obituary published in the Journal of Mammalogy describes him as a naturalist from an early age, and reference sources identify him as James Smith Findley, later a longtime scholar of mammals in the American Southwest.

Findley was closely associated with the University of New Mexico, where he served as a biology professor and as director of the Museum of Southwestern Biology. University of New Mexico materials also credit him with greatly expanding the mammal collection and helping build its regional research strength. Encyclopaedia Britannica lists him as the author of Natural History of New Mexican Mammals and other works, which helps explain why his writing remains useful to readers interested in wildlife, field biology, and the natural history of the Southwest.

He died in 2018, but his influence continued through his students, his museum work, and his published research. For readers coming to his books today, his appeal lies in the mix of careful science and clear love of the living world.